Gun-stock.



PATENTED MAR. 27, 1906.

I, INVENTOI? WZZIMI/ZCk,

W. F. COLE. GUN STOCK. APPLIOATIION FILED MAR. 18. 1903.

WITNESSES:

A TTORNE 7S.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFr-io.

WILLIAM F. COLE, OF WACO, TEXAS.

GUN-STOCK.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM F. COLE, a cit? zen of the United States, and a resident of Waco, in the county of WcLennan and State of Texas, have made certain new and useful Improvements in l/Vooden Gun-Stocks, of wlf ch the following is a specification.

My invent? on is an improved wooden stock for firearms which combines maximum lightness and strength, may be produced at reduced cost, and is adapted for convenient and advantageous manipulation for defensive purposes.

The details of construction are as hereinafter described, reference being had to accompanying drawing, which represents in perspective my improved stock applied to a gunbarrel of the military type.

The stock proper is constructed of wood, and preferably integral with the fore-stock 2. It projects rearward and downward at the usual angle and to the usual length and is suitably curved adjacent to the front grip 3. In form it is a shaft or bar and is preferably oval in cross-sect on; but' t maybe of other shape as, for instance, cylindrical or polygonal. The diameter is pract'cally uniform throughout, and it will vary with n narrow limits for arms of different types. The diameter is in any case such that the stock wi ll have due strength and rigidity and be adapted to be grasped and held firmly, so that it may serve as a handle for the gun as a whole. One portion of the handle or grip proper is at 4 adj acent to the rear extremity of the stock. By grasping the same the gun with bayonet attached may be very effectively used for offense and defense and with the important advantage that the length of the weapon as a whole is thus practically increased by the length of the stock, say, ten or twelve inches.

In'bri ef, the weapon is thus practically adapted to be used as a pike orlance,wlrich is parti cularly advantageous for defensive purposes in battle, since the gun-stock may be grasped adjacent to the butt-end, and thus the entire weapon projected forward its entire length. To the stock thus constructed I apply a metal attachment comprising a butt or shoulder p ece 1 and a diagonal brace 1 the latter being separated from the under side of the stock, so that ample space is provided for grasping the butt-end of the stock, as before stated. The attachment serves as a guard for the hand in repelling saber attacks and also braces and strengthens the stock proper,

Patented March 27, 1906.

while the shoulder-piece performs the function of the butt of the ordinary gun. The butt 1 and brace 1 are made integral, but constructed of metal, so as to combine maximum lightness with due strength. The upper end of the butt is formed with two inwardly-bent lugs or flanges 1, which are arranged parallel and spaced apart to admit the end of the stock between them, to which they are secured by screws or rivets. The front end of the diagonal brace 1 is also provided with outturned portions or flanges 1 4, whi' ch lie parallel with and are secured to the stock. The inner flange is curved reversely and lies parallel to the stock, and the curve is of such dimension that it is adapted to recelve and serve as an abutment or contactpiece for the hand when a thrust is made with the weapon.

The stock being constructed of wood and the grain running its whole length without being cut or interrupted, as in stocks of the usual construction, the stock combines maximum strength, rigidity, and lightness.

The upper end of the butt 1 is bifurcated to adapt it to embrace and be firmly attached to the end of the stock proper by means of screws.

It will be seen that when thus constructed the stock as a whole is adapted to perform its usual function in presenting or supporting and aiming the gun, while particularly adapted for use in the ways before specified namely, as a handle for effectively manipulating the-gun with bayonet attached in the case of the military weapon.

In constructing the ordinary gun-stock the wood composing it is cut across the grain at the grip or narrowest portion adjacent to the breech, where it is consequently vitally weak, whereas in my stock the grain is preferably continuous or uncut, and the stock therefore possesses as great strength at one point as another, besides being lighter than the old form and adapted for advantageous use in handling the gun, as before stated.

' WVhat I clalm is- 1. The improved gun-stock herein described, the same being constructed of wood and having a continuous or unbroken grain,

and made of practically uniform diameter throughout, and a metal attachment comprising a butt-plate having its upper end provided with inwardly-projecting parallel flanges which embrace and are secured to the end of the butt on opposite sides thereof, and

a diagonal portion extending forward and provided at its ends with outturned flanges which are secured to the stock in the manner described. 4

2. As an improved article of manufacture, the gun-stock constructed of wood having 'a continuous grain and made of practically uniform diameter, and an integral and rigid metal guard comprising a butt-plate and a diagonal brace, the same being secured to the stock, and the brace separated therefrom in the manner described.

3. The improved gun-stock herein described, the same being constructed of wood, and made of practically uniform diameter throughout, and a rigid and integral metal attachment comprising a butt-plate having its upper end provided with inwardlypro jecting parallel flanges which embrace and are secured to the end of the butt on opposite sides thereof, and a diagonal portion extending forward and provided at its ends with outturned flanges which are secured to the stock in the manner described.

4. As an improved article of manufacture, the gun-stock constructed of wood, and made of practically uniform diameter, and an inte r gral and rigid metal guard provided with securing-flanges at each end and comprising a butt-plate and a diagonal brace, the same being secured to the stock by said flanges, and the brace portion separated therefrom in the manner described.

5. The improved gun-stock herein described, the same being constructed of wood and made of practically uniform diameter throughout, and a rigidand integral metal attachment comprising a butt-plate secured to the end of the stock by flanges and a diagonal portion extending forward and provided at its ends with flanges which are secured to the stock in the manner described, the length of the brace being such that it affords due space for seizing and holding manually the opposite portion of the stock, as described.

6. The improved gunstock herein described constructed of light material and made of practically uniform diameter throughout and having an integral rigid metal bar comprising a buttplate and a diagonal brace whichis extended forward and provided at its front end with a reversely-curved portion, the same extending rearward parallel to the stock and describing a curve as and for the purpose specified.

WILLIAM F. COLE.

\Vitnesses SoLoN O. KEMON, AMos W. HART. 

